When you read the news and see a house has been robbed or a car has been stolen, you never seem to think that it can happen to you. But it can. Before you notice it, you can become a statistic, a story in the local papers your fellow citizens will read, trusting that that won’t happen to them. There is a way to avoid this unpleasant situation. Your home, your car, and everything that you own should be protected from unwanted trespassing or theft. Here are some precautionary measures you can take in order to make your home a safer place and all of the things inside and around it secure.
Keep the doors locked
Sure, we all long for those times and safe neighborhoods when people could leave their doors unlocked and nothing bad would happen, but those times are not coming back, and it is not very likely that they were ever real. So, just to be safe, lock the doors. And we mean all the doors, including the front, back, and the garage doors.
Scout your property for weak spots
Walk around the outside of your home to identify its potential weaknesses. Survey the property with the eyes of a burglar. What is the easiest point of entry? Can some of your windows be pried open? If you are not confident in doing this alone, you can also call the police or a security company to do the assessment for you. Once you determine the vulnerable spots, try to come up with ways to deal with them. Also, try to keep the expensive items (e.g., electronics and artworks) out of sight. If they are visible from the outside, they could be tempting for thieves.
Build a fence
Burglars know that they can’t waste time on difficult to enter properties. Building a fence is one way to make their job more challenging. While picket fences are simple to jump over, metal fencing is more difficult to scale, and it is secured into concrete. That’s why it is safer.
Protect your garage
The garage is the place where you probably store various things, including tools, bikes, and a grill. It is also the place where you keep one of your most valuable properties – your car. Protect it from break-ins by reinforcing the doors, using a doorstop that is screwed in the ground, keeping the windows frosted for privacy, installing an alarm, and turning on the radio so that the thieves think someone is inside.
Get insurance – just in case
Before we move on to other ways to safeguard your house from intrusions, it is vital to know that you can never be too safe. Because of that, you need to get your home insured. There are various insurance policies, and it is important to understand how they differ. While dwelling coverage provides protection only for the structure of the home, contents coverage will also protect the items inside your house/apartment (e.g., clothes and furniture). It is also useful to know the different types of car insurance because some protect you from accidental damage while leaving you hanging out to dry in case of theft.
Install motion-triggered lights
Lighting can be an effective deterrent for burglars if you use it wisely. For criminals, darkness is a beacon that lets them know they are welcome on your property. Motion-triggered lights can scare the thieves off, but it is also essential not to leave dark hidden corners unlit. When choosing exterior lights, opt for the ones that illuminate up to 100 feet. The interior lighting is also relevant. When you are away from home, you can use timers that give of an appearance of someone being inside the house.
Invest in a good security system
An alarm system can discourage burglars from even trying to break into your property because it brings attention to them. Furthermore, most security systems are tied into the police or security company system. While there are silent alarms that can also notify the police, you should be aware that your stuff will no longer be there when the police officers arrive. That’s why it’s better to opt for a loud sound. Here are some additional tips that will help you choose and install the right security system:
- Opt for broadband or cellular monitoring.
- Let the professionals install it.
- Consider home automation to get more control over the security.
Home invasion, burglary, and car theft can never be completely eradicated from our society, but the risk shouldn’t cause you to live in fear. Follow these tips to make sure you have done whatever is in your power to protect yourself, your family, and your home from stress and loss.
Guest post by Tracey Clayton
About the Author
Tracey Clayton is a full time mom of three girls. She's passionate about fashion, home décor and healthy living. Her motto is: “Live the life you love, love the life you live.”
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